Stretcher



June 30, 1942. A. p. SILVERNAIL I 2,288,492

STRETCHER Filed Sept. 20, 1940 ALBERT D-SILl/ERNA/L Patented June 30, 1942 UNI TED STATE 5 PAT ENT FF] 0 E STRETCHER Albert 1). Silvernail, Utica, N. Y.

Application September 20, 1940, SerialNo. 357,657

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in fabric stretching frames.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device of the above character which is adapted te stretch articles of fabric such as rugs, carpets, and the like in amore even and uniform manner than has heretofore been possible to prevent uneven selvage on the fabric.

A further object of the invention is to provide a stretching and drying frame of the above type which is adjustable to accommodate fabrics of various'sizesand whichis spaced from the sup-- porting surface so that a free circulation of air may pass around the fabric and cause the same to be dried in a shorter period of time.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a fabric stretching frame particularly adapted for supporting rugs and carpets so that the same may be supported in a vertical or horizontal position while being dried.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a fabric stretching frame formed of tubular pipe sections having malleable metal fittings which are designed to easily slide on the tubular sections when adjustments are being made or when the fabric is being stretched,

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description taken in connection with the drawing wherein,

Figure 1 is a top elevational view of the stretching frame showing the fabric engaging and gripping bars associated with the side frame sections,

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the fabric stretcher illustrating the manner of supporting the same in spaced relation to the supporting surface.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows showing the clamping fitting for the movable fabric gripping bar,

Figure 4 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on line 44 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows illustrating the adjusting member,

Figure 5 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on line 55 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows, and,

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a modified supporting foot.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustrating the invention and wherein like reference characters will be employed to designate like parts throughout the same, the reference character 1 will be employed to generally designate a stationary fabric supporting beam having the ends provided with tubular foot portions 9. Secured ,to each of the tubular foot portions 9 is a base flange vl [adapted to rest on a floor surface or other supporting surface.

Mounted on the foot portions 9 are also fitting members 13 having opposed extensions |5for receiving the ends of a transverse reinforcing bar ll.

At right angles to the extensions F5 are tubular extensions 19 into which is fitted one .end of parallel side tubular frame members 2! the free ends of which are perforated as at 23. I

Slidably mounted on the side frame members 2| are split tubular sections having. upwardly flared bracket extensions 21 flanged on the upper end as at 29 for connection with a transverse fabric supporting beam 3| by means of rivets or screws. The clamping ends of each split tubular section are fastened together by means of a bolt having threaded on its end a wing nut 39 to securely clamp the tubular section in a desired position on the parallel frame members 2|. The clamping portion of each split tubular section is extended to provide a foot portion 4| adapted to engage the ground and support the stretching frame in spaced relation thereto.

Also formed on each tubular split section 25 is an upstanding ear 43 having reinforcing side flanges 45 and a longitudinal slot 4! for rotatably receiving one end of a screw threaded rod 49 which is held in place by a nut 5i secured to the end thereof.

The threaded end of each rod i9 is received in an internally threaded collarv 53 carried on a sliding cross head 55 reciprocably mounted on the rod 2| and a transverse opening 51 is formed in the sliding cross head adapted to register with the series of openings 23 in the tubular side frame members 2! so that a locking key 59 may be passed therethrough to hold the same against movement. A squared portion 6! is formed on the extreme free end of the screw-threaded rod 49 for accommodating a wrench whereby rotation of the rod will move the transverse fabric supporting beam 3| along the tubular side frame members 2|.

Mounted on the fabric supporting beams 1 and 3| are a series of upwardly directed pins 63 and 65, respectively, for supporting a piece of fabric 6'! such as a rug or carpet to be stretched.

each tubular foot I is provided with a jetting 16 for connection with the side frame tubular members 18, as at 80, and the lower end of each tubular foot is provided with a roller caster 82 swiveled, as at 84, so that the roller 86 may turn in any direction when the fabric stretching frame is being moved over the supporting surface.

After a piece of fabric 61 is placed on the supporting beams 1 and 3|, the cross head 55 is adjusted to the desired position by the locking pin 59, so that most of the slack is taken out of the fabric. When the cross head 55 is in position, the screw rods 49 are rotated until the fabric has been stretched to the desired size and shape. The wing nuts 39 are now rotated to cause the clamping ends 33 and 35 to be drawn together about the side frame tubular members thereby anchoring the tubular sections 25 against movement and preventing slippage of the fabric supporting beam 3!.

It is to be understood, that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred embodiments of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A fabric stretching frame comprising a stationary fabric supporting beam having legs secured adjacent each end thereof, a pair of parallel side frame members connected at their ends to said legs, a movable fabric engaging beam slidably mounted on said parallel side frame members, legs on said movable fabric engaging beam, cross heads slidable on the parallel frame members, means for securing said cross heads in different positions on said frame members, a screw rod threaded in each cross head and pivotally secured to said movable beam, and a clamp on each leg of the movable beam for locking the .movable beam to the side frame members.

2. A fabric stretching frame comprising a stationary fabric supporting beam having legs secured adjacent each end thereof, a pair of parallel side frame members connected at their ends to said legs, a movable fabric engaging beam slidably mounted on said parallel side frame members, legs on said movable fabric engaging beam, cross heads slidable on the parallel frame members, said parallel side frame members having spacedly disposed apertures therein and said cross heads having apertures therein adapted to be brought into registering engagement with the apertures in the side frame members, pins adapted to be inserted in said apertures for securing said cross heads in different positions on said side frame members, a screw rod threaded in each cross head and pivotally secured to said movable beam, and a clamp on each leg of the movable beam for locking the movable beam to the side frame members.

ALBERT D. SILVERNAIL. 

